Daily Office Readings for Wednesday of the 2nd Week of Epiphany: Year 1
AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25 to 48;
Isaiah 44:24 to 45:7; Ephesians 5:1 to 14; Mark 4:1 to 20:
Today’s blog is republished from two years ago.
“And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside, everything comes in parables; in order that “they may indeed look, but not perceive,
and may indeed listen, but not understand; so that they may not turn again and be forgiven.” (Mark 4:11 – 12)
This is a clue that in order to hear what the Spirit is saying to us through Biblical readings, that we must look deep beneath the surface of the literal text. Truth was veiled in parable because truth required the work necessary to get the reward. Those who just scrape the surface attain nothing of real value and could even be misleading or short circuited. We can’t just grab and go. Sometimes we must soak in the soup for a while to collect all the rich flavors of what’s there.
So, before we go deeper we must believe that there is something hidden beneath the perceived obvious. We also must believe that the treasure is worth the work of going deeper. I am currently in a cabinet making class led by a craftsman in his 80’s. He has been making cabinets for more than 50 years. [A note here, I have since completed that class and have a beautiful cabinet for my efforts. Also, our instructor has since passed away.] This class moves slowly. There are many small steps that require patience to learn them. Getting in a hurry will cause mistakes and a waste of wood and possibly personal injury. The fruit of the study and patience is a well made and beautiful cabinet. Living the Christian life is the same way. To us has been given the secret of the kingdom of God. We only have to follow the Master Craftsman, Jesus, and we will perceive, understand, and turn and be forgiven. Be well.
Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to, and through, the saints of God, and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 